Greek Jews Swindled of Large Sums by Man Who Posed As ‘rabbi’

The Jewish community of this city was swindled of 2,000 drachmas, and Chief Rabbi Dr. S. Koretz of another 1,000, by a man who claimed that he was “Rabbi Friedman” and that he had been authorized to collect funds for a new synagogue in Barcelona.

The supposed rabbi said he had received 1,000 Egyptian pounds in Egypt and proposed to visit a number of Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe.

On investigation it was found that all of “Friedman’s” claims were false, that he had forged certificates from the Barcelona community, as well as recommendations from several prominent Rabbis in Palestine.